two and twenty battles, through which woe of
heart hath happed to many a dame. He and the knight from Spain trod many
a war path, when here at Etzel's court they waged so many wars in honor
of the king. Much this happed, wherefore one must justly honor Hagen. At
that time the warrior was of his years a lad. How gray are they who then
were young! Now is he come to wit and is a man full grim. Balmung, (2)
too, he beareth, the which he won in evil wise."

Therewith the strife was parted, so that no one fought, which mightily
rued the queen. The warriors turned them hence; in sooth they feared
their death at the fiddler's hands, and surely they had need of this.
Then spake the fiddler: "We have now well seen that we shall find foes
here, as we heard tell afore. Let us go to court now to the kings, then
dare none match our lords in fight. How oft a man doth leave a thing
undone through fear, the which he would not do, when friend standeth by
friend in friendly (3) wise, an' he have good wits. Scathe to many a man
is lightly warded off by forethought."

Quoth Hagen: "Now will I follow you."

They went to where they found the dapper warriors standing in the court
in a great press of welcoming knights.

Bold Folker gan speak loudly to his lords: "How long will ye stand and
let yourselves be jostled? Ye must go to court and hear from the king of
what mind he be."

Men then saw the brave heroes and good pair off. The prince of Berne
took by the hand the mighty Gunther of Burgundian land. Irnfried (4)
took the brave knight Gernot, while Rudeger was seen to go to court with
Giselher. But however any paired, Folker and Hagen never parted, save
in one fray, when their end was come, and this noble ladies must needs
greatly bewail in after time. With the kings one saw go to court a
thousand brave men of their fellowship, thereto sixty champions that
were come with them, whom the bold Hagen had taken from his land. Hawart
and Iring, (5) two chosen men, were seen to walk together near the
kings. Men saw Dankwart and Wolfhart, a peerless knight, display their
chivalry before all eyes.

When the lord of the Rhine had entered the hall, the mighty Etzel
delayed no longer, but sprang from his throne when he saw him
come. Never did so fair a greeting hap from any king. "Be welcome,
Sir Gunther, and Sir Gernot, too, and your brother Giselher. I sent
you truly my faithful service to Worms beyond the Rhine. All your
fellowship, too, I welc